State Capitol Q&A: Senators hear wiretapped conversations

Wednesday

Jan 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMJan 28, 2009 at 4:56 PM

The 59 state senators who will decide whether Gov. Rod Blagojevich gets to keep his job finally heard some of the wiretapped conversations that federal authorities collected as part of their criminal investigation of the governor. Attorney David Ellis, the lead prosecutor in Blagojevich's impeachment trial, played the four recordings on Tuesday, the second trial day. Here’s a closer look at the tapes.

Adriana Colindres

The 59 state senators who will decide whether Gov. Rod Blagojevich gets to keep his job finally heard some of the wiretapped conversations that federal authorities collected as part of their criminal investigation of the governor.

Attorney David Ellis, the lead prosecutor in Blagojevich's impeachment trial, played the four recordings on Tuesday, the second trial day. Here’s a closer look at the tapes.

Q: What was in the recordings?

A: The brief recordings capture a variety of conversations, not all of them directly involving the governor. Federal authorities have said they concern a piece of legislation, related to the horseracing industry, that Blagojevich was planning to sign in exchange for a campaign contribution.

Here's a synopsis:

_ In a recording made Nov. 13, 2008, Blagojevich is talking with his brother, Robert.

Robert Blagojevich says he "talked to Lon. And, uh, he says Johnny Johnston is good for it."

The governor says OK and then adds later: "Right - before the end of the year, though, right?"

_ In a recording from Dec. 3, 2008, "Lobbyist 1" calls horseracing track executive John Johnston. "Lobbyist 1" has been identified as former Blagojevich chief of staff Lon Monk, and he refers to himself as Lon during the conversation.

He asks Johnston whether he can come to see him.

_ In a recording made Dec. 3, less than two hours after the previous one, "Lobbyist 1" calls Blagojevich. He tells the governor he's just left a meeting with someone, where he discussed the other person's "commitment" and the possible "skittishness" that could arise because of the timing of the commitment and a bill-signing.

"Good," Blagojevich says.

_ In a Dec. 4 recording, Lobbyist 1 suggests to Blagojevich that he call John Johnston "just to say hello, um, you know, I'm working on the timing of this thing, but it's gonna get done."

Blagojevich says he'll make the call and tell Johnston "we want to do an event" downstate.

Q: Are these the only secret recordings the feds have of Blagojevich?

A: No. But they're the only ones that have been disclosed to the public. Written excerpts of some of the other tapes appeared in the federal government’s criminal complaint.

Q: Why were these recordings played, and not others, such as the one in which Blagojevich is said to have described his power to appoint a new U.S. senator as "[expletive] golden"?

A: The short answer is that's what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wanted.

One senator wanted to know why these particular four recordings were disclosed to the public.

Walsh said it was a decision made by the U.S. attorney in an effort to protect the criminal investigation of Blagojevich.

Q: What's the possible relevance of these four recordings?

A: Ultimately, each senator will have to decide on that for him or herself.

But House prosecutors, who want the Senate to remove Blagojevich from office, view the recordings as part of the evidence showing how the governor repeatedly abused his powers.

Blagojevich, who isn't attending his impeachment trial, has contended in various TV interviews recently that the recordings are being taken out of context. He says once people get the full picture, they'll agree with him that he's done nothing wrong.

Q: Did the recordings that were played on Tuesday include foul language?

A: No.

According to transcripts, certain portions of the recordings were redacted - or edited out - before they were played in the Senate. We don't know what words got removed in that process.

Q: Can I listen to the recordings for myself, and can I read transcripts of them?

A: Yes.

The recordings and transcripts are posted on the Illinois General Assembly's Web site: www.ilga.gov.

From there, look beneath the heading, "Senate," and click on "Audio Recording of Intercepted Communications."

Adriana Colindres can be reached at (217) 782-6292 or adriana.colindres@sj-r.com.